Read also the important followingarticles (issues
listed) in the Rochester
(New York)
Patriot newspaper, which
investigated Rely in 1975 and 1976, years
before the toxic shock crisis: 23 July-5 August
1975 (front cover)
- 6-26 August
1975 - 11 December
1975-13 January 1976 - 1-14 September
1976) - a letter
to a customer assuring her that Rely was
safe (April 1980) - and a letter from
Procter & Gamble (22 September 1980)
announcing that it was stopping distribution
of Rely because of health concerns

Letter to dealers
explaining the withdrawal from
the market of Rely menstrual
tampon (September 22, 1980)

Procter & Gamble withdrew
the Rely tampon from the market in
1980 because of its association
with the disease toxic shock, and
explained its decision to dealers
in the letter below.

The Rochester
Patriot (New York) newspaper
in 1975-1976 had attacked Rely for
its composition, which helps
explain the company's defense of
the tampon in this letter. Note
that it also defends the plastic
applicator, which became a
contentious environmental issue.

And Listen
to Procter & Gamble
tell radio
listeners to stop
using Rely because of the
risk of toxic shock
syndrome (TSS), probably
in 1980.

Next: Concluding
page of letter - Last
article about Rely tampon from the
Rochester Patriot at MUM - Previous
article about Rely tampon from the
Rochester Patriot newspaper (1976)
at MUM

And see the other tampons
Procter & Gamble also sold
around the time of Rely.

Tambrands kindly donated
these articles to the museum,
which bear markings from that
company.

Next: Concluding
page of letter - Last
article about Rely tampon from the
Rochester Patriot at MUM - Previous
article about Rely tampon from the
Rochester Patriot newspaper (1976)
at MUM-
a letter
Procter & Gamble sent to
dealers explaining why they were withdrawing the
Rely tampon (September
1980)Front
part of the instructions.
See the super Rely tampon,
and an ad
for Rely from 1980.Main
Rely tampon
page